Allen's Sermons
Go Back to SermonsA Life of Prayer
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Can I Talk to God? A Life of Prayer The Jesus Prayer John 3.1-17
Allen R. Hunt Mount Pisgah 2/26/06
(Thanks to Paul Harvey, Bill Bouknight and Max Lucado for thoughts included here)
I. Edwin Thomas was the best – perhaps finest actor of 1800’s
Age 15 – debuted in Richard III – performed Hamlet 100 consecutive nights in NYC
When it came to tragedy on stage – he was in a select group
Tragedy in life too – he had two brothers, John and Junius – both actors
1863 – three combined in Julius Caesar – brother John took role of Brutus the assassin
2 years later same John took role of assassin in Ford’s Theater in April 1865
Entered rear of a box quietly – fired bullet into back of head of Abraham Lincoln
Last name of these brothers – Booth – Edwin Thomas Booth and John Wilkes Booth
Edwin never the same again – shame from brother’s crime drove him to retirement
Probably would never have returned to stage if not for twist of fate at NJ train station
Edwin waiting on coach when well dressed young man lost footing and fell between platform and train – without hesitation, Edwin locked a leg around a railing, grabbed man, pulled him to safety - in relief, young man recognized famous Edwin Booth
Edwin did not recognize the young man he had rescued
Knowledge came weeks later in a letter – letter he carried in his pocket every day for rest of life – letter from General Adams Budeau, chief secretary to U.S. Grant
Letter thanking Booth for saving life of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln
How ironic that while one brother killed the president, the other saved president’s son
Edwin & John Booth – same mother, father, profession – yet one chooses life, the other death
How could it happen?
Happens all the time
Abel and Cain, both sons of Adam – Abel chooses God, Cain chooses murder
Abraham and Lot, both pilgrims in Canaan – Abraham chooses God, Lot chooses Sodom
David and Saul, both kings of Israel – David chooses God, Saul chooses power
Peter and Judas, both deny their Lord. Peter seeks mercy, Judas seeks death
2 thieves, both on crosses beside Jesus – One chooses Jesus, the other chooses condemnation
In every age of history, on every page of Scripture, God allows us to make our own choices
God gives you choices
II. And that is exactly what Jesus does right here with Nicodemus
Nick comes at night to meet Jesus
Clear that Jesus is from God – Nick wants to know how to be on God’s side
That is his question for Jesus: “How can I be on God’s side?”
And the answer is really, really simple
“You must be born again” – 2 times Jesus tells him you must be born again (John 3.3,7)
Jesus says that being born again is the required doorway into Christian life
Not church membership, not being raised by Christian parents, not being nice, but being born again
When you are in womb, your eyes are closed – but after birth, your eyes are opened
Still a baby – much growing to do – but your eyes are opened
And that is exactly what Jesus is saying
Be born again spiritually – eyes opened for first time to God’s purposes, God’s values, God’s reality – see other people differently, begin to see what God is doing in world
I imagine when Jesus said that about being born again, Nick’s face grew a bit puzzled
Does not make sense to the world – but it is simple and it is true
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (3.16)
How are you born again? Believe in Jesus
Invite Him to be the Lord of your life – the CEO of your heart
Amazing the answers that come when I ask someone how long they have had a personal relationship with Jesus – tell me about how often they go to church, or where they go to church, or how they love their pastor, or how their parents were so faithful
Not the question – question is “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?”
I.e., Are you born again?
Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it
He is the way to salvation, to new life, the way to be born again
II. And the choice is yours
I tend to be a positive preacher – love to share the grace of God, declare the forgiveness of God, celebrate the love of God
However, if I only talk about the love of God, and never mention His judgment, I distort who God is
Verse 18 says that those who do not believe stand condemned already – for not believing in the one and only Son of God
God gives us a choice – and the choice has consequences – eternal consequences
We can love the world, its ways, and its darkness – God gives us that choice – death now, hell later
Or we can love Jesus, love God, love light – choose life now, eternity later
Jesus is a gift- God’s gift
Up to you whether to choose to receive the gift
SarahAnn’s grandfather decided to give her a car for Christmas – shiny red 2004 Honda Accord – she went to his garage on Christmas morning – there it was – beautiful gift – because he loves her very much
But it was up to SarahAnn to receive the gift – she had to take the key, had to start the car, and had to drive it home – it was a gift, but she had to receive it
Or suppose that you have staph infection – doctor prescribes strong antibiotics, intravenously administered
But you refuse, believing that you can overcome the illness on your own, or you simply have other things that you would rather do than sit in hospital hooked up to IV bag
If you die, it is not the doctor’s fault – it is your fault for refusing the cure
God has done everything in His power to save us – even to the point of sending His son to the cross
He did everything except take away your power to decide
The choice is yours – you can choose life, or you can choose death
You can choose to live life your way
Love the world, love pleasure, love ease, honor, and money
Deny purpose from God, indulge your own desires and hopes
Can live a life full of self-will, anger, pride, and evil temper - sin
Or you can choose God – be born again – start over and begin to live His way
Only Jesus can do that – He came to save the world
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”
Believe in Him and receive everlasting life
Reject Him and choose death
IV. There is a word for that choice – Repent
Repent – to turn around, change of heart, total mind makeover
To be going in one direction – realize it is the wrong way – stop, and reverse course
Why I have given you the simple prayer – called The Jesus Prayer – started in 6th century
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Wonderful prayer – simple sentence prayer, a breath prayer
Used by millions of Christians for more than a thousand years
To stop, turn around, reverse course and had God’s way
Good the first time you need to do that – when you are born again
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Good to use in your prayer life on a daily or hourly basis – when you need to turn around
Because if you are like me, need forgiveness pretty regularly
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Heard from someone about a sign on I-4 in central Florida near Deland
“Narcotics Inspection Ahead”
Actually, there was no inspection – but some drivers would see sign, panic, and turn around – make immediate illegal U-turn
Of course, narcotics agents watching, would stop and search those drivers
I am sure ACLU is objecting
Inspection is coming – and Jesus will be there
He will either be your Judge or your Savior
The choice is yours
What’s it gonna be?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Altar invitation (Adam playing as people respond)– that I then segue to Glenn as someone who has been praying about how important this message is – and how the Church needs to take that message to the world rather than wait for the world to come find it – mission to offer good news, hope, and salvation to the world
Scott will then come in behind Glenn for the closing prayer chorus
Allen R. Hunt Mount Pisgah 2/26/06
(Thanks to Paul Harvey, Bill Bouknight and Max Lucado for thoughts included here)
I. Edwin Thomas was the best – perhaps finest actor of 1800’s
Age 15 – debuted in Richard III – performed Hamlet 100 consecutive nights in NYC
When it came to tragedy on stage – he was in a select group
Tragedy in life too – he had two brothers, John and Junius – both actors
1863 – three combined in Julius Caesar – brother John took role of Brutus the assassin
2 years later same John took role of assassin in Ford’s Theater in April 1865
Entered rear of a box quietly – fired bullet into back of head of Abraham Lincoln
Last name of these brothers – Booth – Edwin Thomas Booth and John Wilkes Booth
Edwin never the same again – shame from brother’s crime drove him to retirement
Probably would never have returned to stage if not for twist of fate at NJ train station
Edwin waiting on coach when well dressed young man lost footing and fell between platform and train – without hesitation, Edwin locked a leg around a railing, grabbed man, pulled him to safety - in relief, young man recognized famous Edwin Booth
Edwin did not recognize the young man he had rescued
Knowledge came weeks later in a letter – letter he carried in his pocket every day for rest of life – letter from General Adams Budeau, chief secretary to U.S. Grant
Letter thanking Booth for saving life of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln
How ironic that while one brother killed the president, the other saved president’s son
Edwin & John Booth – same mother, father, profession – yet one chooses life, the other death
How could it happen?
Happens all the time
Abel and Cain, both sons of Adam – Abel chooses God, Cain chooses murder
Abraham and Lot, both pilgrims in Canaan – Abraham chooses God, Lot chooses Sodom
David and Saul, both kings of Israel – David chooses God, Saul chooses power
Peter and Judas, both deny their Lord. Peter seeks mercy, Judas seeks death
2 thieves, both on crosses beside Jesus – One chooses Jesus, the other chooses condemnation
In every age of history, on every page of Scripture, God allows us to make our own choices
God gives you choices
II. And that is exactly what Jesus does right here with Nicodemus
Nick comes at night to meet Jesus
Clear that Jesus is from God – Nick wants to know how to be on God’s side
That is his question for Jesus: “How can I be on God’s side?”
And the answer is really, really simple
“You must be born again” – 2 times Jesus tells him you must be born again (John 3.3,7)
Jesus says that being born again is the required doorway into Christian life
Not church membership, not being raised by Christian parents, not being nice, but being born again
When you are in womb, your eyes are closed – but after birth, your eyes are opened
Still a baby – much growing to do – but your eyes are opened
And that is exactly what Jesus is saying
Be born again spiritually – eyes opened for first time to God’s purposes, God’s values, God’s reality – see other people differently, begin to see what God is doing in world
I imagine when Jesus said that about being born again, Nick’s face grew a bit puzzled
Does not make sense to the world – but it is simple and it is true
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (3.16)
How are you born again? Believe in Jesus
Invite Him to be the Lord of your life – the CEO of your heart
Amazing the answers that come when I ask someone how long they have had a personal relationship with Jesus – tell me about how often they go to church, or where they go to church, or how they love their pastor, or how their parents were so faithful
Not the question – question is “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?”
I.e., Are you born again?
Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it
He is the way to salvation, to new life, the way to be born again
II. And the choice is yours
I tend to be a positive preacher – love to share the grace of God, declare the forgiveness of God, celebrate the love of God
However, if I only talk about the love of God, and never mention His judgment, I distort who God is
Verse 18 says that those who do not believe stand condemned already – for not believing in the one and only Son of God
God gives us a choice – and the choice has consequences – eternal consequences
We can love the world, its ways, and its darkness – God gives us that choice – death now, hell later
Or we can love Jesus, love God, love light – choose life now, eternity later
Jesus is a gift- God’s gift
Up to you whether to choose to receive the gift
SarahAnn’s grandfather decided to give her a car for Christmas – shiny red 2004 Honda Accord – she went to his garage on Christmas morning – there it was – beautiful gift – because he loves her very much
But it was up to SarahAnn to receive the gift – she had to take the key, had to start the car, and had to drive it home – it was a gift, but she had to receive it
Or suppose that you have staph infection – doctor prescribes strong antibiotics, intravenously administered
But you refuse, believing that you can overcome the illness on your own, or you simply have other things that you would rather do than sit in hospital hooked up to IV bag
If you die, it is not the doctor’s fault – it is your fault for refusing the cure
God has done everything in His power to save us – even to the point of sending His son to the cross
He did everything except take away your power to decide
The choice is yours – you can choose life, or you can choose death
You can choose to live life your way
Love the world, love pleasure, love ease, honor, and money
Deny purpose from God, indulge your own desires and hopes
Can live a life full of self-will, anger, pride, and evil temper - sin
Or you can choose God – be born again – start over and begin to live His way
Only Jesus can do that – He came to save the world
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”
Believe in Him and receive everlasting life
Reject Him and choose death
IV. There is a word for that choice – Repent
Repent – to turn around, change of heart, total mind makeover
To be going in one direction – realize it is the wrong way – stop, and reverse course
Why I have given you the simple prayer – called The Jesus Prayer – started in 6th century
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Wonderful prayer – simple sentence prayer, a breath prayer
Used by millions of Christians for more than a thousand years
To stop, turn around, reverse course and had God’s way
Good the first time you need to do that – when you are born again
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Good to use in your prayer life on a daily or hourly basis – when you need to turn around
Because if you are like me, need forgiveness pretty regularly
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Heard from someone about a sign on I-4 in central Florida near Deland
“Narcotics Inspection Ahead”
Actually, there was no inspection – but some drivers would see sign, panic, and turn around – make immediate illegal U-turn
Of course, narcotics agents watching, would stop and search those drivers
I am sure ACLU is objecting
Inspection is coming – and Jesus will be there
He will either be your Judge or your Savior
The choice is yours
What’s it gonna be?
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner
Altar invitation (Adam playing as people respond)– that I then segue to Glenn as someone who has been praying about how important this message is – and how the Church needs to take that message to the world rather than wait for the world to come find it – mission to offer good news, hope, and salvation to the world
Scott will then come in behind Glenn for the closing prayer chorus